The Historic Retreat: Where JFK and Jackie Stayed in the Bahamas

While John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Bouvier officially honeymooned in Acapulco, Mexico, in September 1953, they spent their first significant post-wedding getaway and several "second honeymoons" in Lyford Cay, Nassau, Bahamas. During these visits, they stayed at the private estate of Sir Harold Christie, a prominent Bahamian real estate mogul and friend of the Kennedy family.

The association between the Kennedys and the Bahamas is deeply rooted in the early years of their marriage. Although the initial weeks following their "Wedding of the Century" were spent in the Mexican Pacific, the couple quickly established the Bahamas as their preferred sanctuary for privacy, medical recovery, and romantic retreats. To understand where they stayed and why these locations became part of the Kennedy legend, one must look at the specific estates and the social fabric of Nassau in the 1950s.

The Disambiguation of the Kennedy Honeymoon

To provide a factually accurate account for historians and travelers in 2026, it is necessary to distinguish between the official 1953 honeymoon and the subsequent Bahamian retreats that are often colloquially referred to as "honeymoons."

On September 12, 1953, John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Lee Bouvier were married at St. Mary’s Church in Newport, Rhode Island. Following a lavish reception at Hammersmith Farm, the couple flew to New York and then to Acapulco, Mexico. They stayed at the Villa Vera and spent time on a yacht in the Pacific. However, the rigorous social demands of the wedding and JFK’s burgeoning political career led the couple to seek a quieter, more private escape shortly thereafter.

By December 1953, the newlyweds turned to the Bahamas. This trip, their first Christmas as a married couple, is what many historians and locals point to when discussing the "Kennedy Bahamas honeymoon." They sought the seclusion of the outer islands and the gated exclusivity of New Providence’s western end.

The Primary Location: Sir Harold Christie’s Estate in Lyford Cay

The most documented location of the Kennedys' Bahamian retreats is the estate of Sir Harold Christie. Located in Lyford Cay, on the western tip of New Providence Island, this area was—and remains—one of the most exclusive enclaves in the world.

Who was Sir Harold Christie?

Sir Harold Christie was a pivotal figure in Bahamian history. A real estate tycoon and a member of the House of Assembly, he was instrumental in developing the Bahamas as a luxury destination for the American and British elite. His friendship with Joseph P. Kennedy Sr. facilitated the young couple’s access to the finest accommodations the islands had to offer.

The Ambiance of the Estate

In the early 1950s, Lyford Cay was not yet the fully developed club it is today (which was formally established by E.P. Taylor in the late 1950s). At the time of JFK and Jackie’s early visits, it consisted of private, sprawling colonial-style estates nestled among mangroves and white-sand beaches. The Christie estate offered the couple a level of security and anonymity that was impossible to find in the United States or the burgeoning tourist hubs of Mexico.

The house itself featured classic Caribbean architecture: high ceilings, wide verandas to catch the trade winds, and lush tropical gardens. For Jackie, an avid photographer and lover of aesthetics, the vibrant colors of the Bahamas provided a stark and welcome contrast to the formal atmospheres of Newport and Washington D.C.

The 1954 Recovery Trip: A Crucial Bahamian Stay

One reason the Bahamas is so firmly etched into the Kennedy timeline is the period following JFK’s near-fatal back surgeries in 1954 and 1955. After undergoing a lumbar fusion to alleviate chronic pain from his wartime injuries and Addison’s disease, JFK was sent to the Bahamas to convalesce.

During this period, Jackie acted as his primary caregiver. They stayed again in the Nassau area, utilizing the warm climate and salt water for his rehabilitation. It was during these long months of recovery in the Bahamas and Palm Beach that JFK worked on his Pulitzer Prize-winning book, Profiles in Courage. The quietude of the Bahamian islands provided the necessary environment for intellectual work and physical healing, further cementing the region's importance to their early marriage.

The "Honey Fitz" and Bahamian Waters

No discussion of the Kennedys in the Bahamas is complete without mentioning their maritime excursions. While they stayed in fixed estates, they spent a significant portion of their time on the water.

The Honey Fitz, the presidential yacht (named after JFK's grandfather, John Francis "Honey Fitz" Fitzgerald), was frequently used in the waters surrounding Florida and the Bahamas. However, in the early years of their marriage, they often chartered or utilized private vessels owned by friends like the Radziwills or the British aristocracy residing in Nassau.

They were known to frequent the Exuma Cays, a string of 365 islands and cays starting just 35 miles southeast of Nassau. The pristine, uninhabited nature of the Exumas allowed the couple to picnic on deserted sandbars—a practice Jackie particularly adored. These "day-trip honeymoons" defined their experience of the Bahamas more than any single hotel room ever could.

Comparing the Kennedy Getaways

The following table distinguishes the various "honeymoon-style" trips the Kennedys took in the early years of their marriage to clarify the specific roles of the Bahamas versus other locations.

The Role of the Ocean Club on Paradise Island

A common misconception is that JFK and Jackie honeymooned at The Ocean Club on Paradise Island (now managed by Four Seasons). In 1953, the Ocean Club did not exist in its current form. The property was then the private estate of Huntington Hartford, the A&P supermarket heir.

The Kennedys did visit this estate, particularly in the early 1960s. The iconic Versailles Gardens and 12th-century French Cloister that define the Ocean Club today were being assembled during the Kennedy era. While they did not honeymoon there, the property represents the "Camelot" era of the Bahamas—a time when the international jet set, led by the Kennedys, made Nassau the center of the glamorous world.

Why the Bahamas Remained a Sanctuary

The choice of the Bahamas as a recurring "honeymoon" destination was strategic as much as it was romantic. In the 1950s, the Bahamas remained a British Crown Colony (achieving independence later in 1973). This provided a layer of British colonial privacy and security.

1. Privacy: The local Bahamian culture and the expatriate British community were notoriously protective of the privacy of high-profile guests.
2. Climate: The consistent warmth was essential for JFK's physical ailments, particularly his back pain, which was exacerbated by the cold dampness of the Northeast.
3. Social Circles: The presence of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor (the former King Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson), who had lived in Nassau during the war, had established a precedent for high-society residents that the Kennedys found comfortable.

Traveling to the Kennedy’s Bahamas in 2026

For those looking to trace the steps of JFK and Jackie in the Bahamas today, much of the "old Nassau" charm remains, though it is now layered with modern luxury.

• Lyford Cay: This remains a highly private, gated community. Unless you are a member or a guest of a resident, the Christie estate and surrounding properties are not accessible to the general public. However, boat tours around the western tip of New Providence can provide a glimpse of the coastal estates where the couple spent their days.
• The Ocean Club, Paradise Island: This is the most accessible way to experience the Kennedy-era glamour. The Versailles Gardens are open to guests and visitors, offering the same vistas that Jackie Kennedy admired during her 1962 stay.
• The Exumas: Chartering a boat to the Exuma Cays remains the best way to replicate the couple’s love for the Bahamian sea. Visiting the sandbars near Highbourne Cay or Norman’s Cay offers the same secluded experience they sought in the 1950s.

Historical Verification and Sources

The details of the Kennedys' time in the Bahamas are documented through several authoritative channels:

• The JFK Presidential Library and Museum: Contains photographic archives of the couple in Nassau and correspondence mentioning their stays with Harold Christie. Visit JFK Library
• The Bahamas Historical Society: Provides context on the development of Lyford Cay and the role of Sir Harold Christie in hosting international dignitaries.
• "The Kennedy Detail" by Gerald Blaine: Offers insights into the security arrangements and locations visited by the family in the Caribbean and Florida.

Frequently Asked Questions

Did JFK and Jackie honeymoon at the British Colonial Hotel?

No. While the British Colonial (now the British Colonial Nassau) was the social hub of Nassau in the 1950s and JFK likely visited it for social functions or meetings, they preferred the privacy of residential estates like those in Lyford Cay for their romantic retreats.

Is the "Kennedy House" in the Bahamas available for rent?

Most of the specific estates where the Kennedys stayed remain in private hands within the gated Lyford Cay community and are not marketed as "Kennedy Houses" for short-term vacation rentals. However, luxury villas in the Lyford Cay area occasionally enter the high-end rental market for significant sums.

What was Jackie Kennedy's favorite thing to do in the Bahamas?

Jackie was known to love the natural light and the clear turquoise waters. She spent much of her time painting watercolors of the tropical landscapes and snorkeling in the shallow reefs. She was also an accomplished horsewoman and enjoyed riding on the secluded beaches of the outer islands.

Did they visit other islands besides New Providence?

Yes. Historical records and local lore suggest they spent time in Eleuthera and Spanish Wells. These islands offered even more seclusion than Nassau, which was already becoming a popular destination for the American elite by the mid-1950s.

Why is there a link between JFK's "Profiles in Courage" and the Bahamas?

JFK did a significant portion of his research and writing for Profiles in Courage during his 1954-1955 convalescence. The warm climate of the Bahamas allowed him to work outdoors or in open-air verandas, which was conducive to his recovery from spinal surgery.

Recommendation for Modern Travelers

If you wish to experience the Bahamas as JFK and Jackie did, avoid the large-scale resorts. Instead, opt for a stay at a boutique heritage property or a private villa on the western end of New Providence. Hire a private skipper to take you to the Exuma Cays for a day of beachcombing on a "deserted" island. This connection to the sea and the silence of the outer cays is the true essence of the honeymoon experience the Kennedys sought in the 1950s.